That's true. Also most common criminals (those that are armed) use shotguns and you can nick half a dozen of those from just about any farmhouse. There is a vast number (millions is one figure mentioned) of nicked shotguns in circulation as a result.
You can own a rifle with a firearms certificate, but the controls (even on a high power air rifle, which needs an FAC too) are very strict at each 5-yearly renewal as to the usage you have for it.
Back to medicals, any total relaxation simply isn't going to happen over here in Europe.